Champions League tie hit by racist abuse

Racism in football – Manchester City's Yaya Toure says he was subjected to "monkey chants" during a European Champions League match against CSKA Moscow in 2013.

Hide Caption

1 of 5

Yaya Toure racially abused5 photos

Racism in football – AC Milan's Mario Balotelli reacts to racist abuse from the visiting Roma fans at the San Siro in May 2013. It was not the first time the Italian-born striker has been racially abused in Serie A. Balotelli has since moved clubs and now plays for Liverpool in the Premier League.

Hide Caption

2 of 5

Yaya Toure racially abused5 photos

Racism in football – Serie A side Lazio was punished four times during the 2012-13 season due to racist offenses by its fans in European matches.

Hide Caption

3 of 5

Yaya Toure racially abused5 photos

Racism in football – "I don't care what game it is -- a friendly, Italian league or Champions League match -- I would walk off again," the Germany-born Kevin-Prince Boateng, who has represented Ghana, told CNN in an exclusive interview in January after he walked off in protest at racist abuse he was subjected to in a friendly match in January 2013.

Hide Caption

4 of 5

Yaya Toure racially abused5 photos

Racism in football – U.S. star Jozy Altidore was subjected to racial abuse during AZ Alkmaar's cup win at Den Bosch in the Netherlands, again in January 2013. The match was halted and the crowd were asked to stop the abusive chanting before the action resumed.

Hide Caption

5 of 5

Story highlights

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure urges UEFA to take action on racism

Toure says he was racially abused during game at CSKA Moscow

Vincent Kompany makes plea on Twitter

Club to make an official complaint following incident

It's supposed to be known as the "Beautiful Game" but the ugly face of racism returned to haunt European football once again Wednesday.

Manchester City's Yaya Toure, the Ivory Coast midfielder, was subjected to "monkey chants" during his side's 2-1 Champions League win against CSKA Moscow in Russia.

City is expected to make a formal complaint to UEFA, the game's European governing body, with Toure urging for action to be taken following his side's victory courtesy of two goals from Sergio Aguero.

"A couple of months ago, a friend was playing at Milan and he had the same problem, and today with me again, it's always the same," he told the club's official website.

"I hope they will change it, I hope they will get big sanctions. They have to ban them at some stage, they have to ban a club for a couple of years.

Restoring an Italian classic 5 photos

Restoring an Italian classic5 photos

Juve joy – Juventus president Andrea Agnelli (left) celebrates the Old Lady's 2013 Serie A title win with the club's coach Antonio Conte.

Hide Caption

1 of 5

Restoring an Italian classic5 photos

Back-to-back titles – The "Bianconeri" won their first Serie A title for nine years in 2011, going through the season unbeaten. It capped their resurgence after the "Calciopoli" match-fixing scandal that saw them stripped of two Serie A titles and demoted to Serie B in 2006.

Hide Caption

2 of 5

Restoring an Italian classic5 photos

Tevez talent – Juventus acquired Argentina striker Carlos Tevez from Manchester City in June 2013 ahead of the club's bid for a third straight Serie A title. In third place after eight games, Conte's team is desperate to again qualify for the lucrative European Champions League.

Hide Caption

3 of 5

Restoring an Italian classic5 photos

Juventus Stadium – The club moved from the dilapidated Stadio delle Alpi to the new Juventus Stadium in 2011. It is smaller, but attendances are up -- as is revenue. Agnelli is hoping other clubs in Serie A with old stadiums will follow Juve's lead.

Hide Caption

4 of 5

Restoring an Italian classic5 photos

Up close and personal – Juventus Stadium provides better facilities for fans and also a more intimate experience, with supporters being much closer to the action than they were at the cavernous Stadio delle Alpi.

MUST WATCH

JUST WATCHED

Football comes to Buckingham Palace

MUST WATCH

"They don't know. They have to do something about it or they will always continue with it. I don't know why we just have this in football -- in volleyball or rugby, we don't have it.

"A few times when I went to the goal and tried to score, I missed it, some of the fans reacted badly. It's always the same - what they say about racism, but they have to stop it now. We have to act, I hope that UEFA will take action. I want it to stop.

"If UEFA don't take action about that, it will continue. We always have some guy saying 'we will have it, blah blah blah'."

Toure went on Twitter to thanks fans for their support following the incident with thousands retweeting his sentiments.

He tweeted: "Thank you for your support! Hate or racism cannot affect me when so many people are showing me love and support on a daily basis!

"I believe in football institutions, I know decision makers will take their responsibilities and show a red card to racism."

City captain Vincent Kompany, who is of Congolese descent, took to Twitter to hit out at the abuse and sent a message to UEFA and the Russian government.

"Racist chants again in Moscow today.. We've all said enough. @UEFAcom, @GovernmentRF, CSKA, all eyes are on you now.."

UEFA has vowed to crack down harder on fans which continue to partake in racial abuse.

In May, the body's executive committee ratified a 10-match minimum ban for racial abuse by players or officials.

At the time, UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino stated that the organization's 53 members should adopt the same measures.

The seven moments which define Alex Ferguson 7 photos

The seven moments which define Alex Ferguson7 photos

A formidable forward – As a player, Alex Ferguson enjoyed a moderately successful career. A prolific striker, he scored 170 goals in 317 appearances including 25 goals in 41 appearances for Glasgow Rangers.

Hide Caption

1 of 7

The seven moments which define Alex Ferguson7 photos

Ace of Aberdeen – Ferguson was appointed manager of Aberdeen in 1978. In addition to three Scottish First Division titles, Ferguson guided the club to an impressive triumph over Real Madrid in the 1983 European Cup Winners' Cup.

Hide Caption

2 of 7

The seven moments which define Alex Ferguson7 photos

"The king is dead" – Ferguson was assistant to Scotland coach Jock Stein during the qualifying campaign for the 1986 World Cup. Scotland secured a 1-1 draw against Wales in their final game to reach the tournament, but Stein collapsed and died following the final whistle in Cardiff.

Hide Caption

3 of 7

The seven moments which define Alex Ferguson7 photos

FA Cup salvation – A late winner from substitute Mark Robbins in an FA Cup replay against Nottingham Forest in January 1990 allegedly spared Ferguson the sack. United went on to beat Crystal Palace at the second attempt in the final, giving Ferguson his first trophy at Old Trafford.

Hide Caption

4 of 7

The seven moments which define Alex Ferguson7 photos

U-turn – The Scot originally planned to retire from management at the end of the 2001-02 season. But, after helping the team recover from a slip in form which saw them drop as low as ninth in the Premier League table, Ferguson reversed his decision in February 2002 and signed a new three-year contract.

Hide Caption

5 of 7

The seven moments which define Alex Ferguson7 photos

Flying boot – A boot flew into the face of Manchester United's star midfielder David Beckham after Ferguson lost his temper following a 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Arsenal in February 2003. Beckham had to be held back following the incident and he joined Real Madrid ahead of the following season.

Hide Caption

6 of 7

The seven moments which define Alex Ferguson7 photos

Treble – Ferguson's finest hour arrived in Barcelona in May 1999, when his United team came from 1-0 down in the 90th minute to beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in the European Champions League final. The win completed an historic treble of titles won during the 1998-99 season, which included the Premier League title and the FA Cup.

Hide Caption

7 of 7

EXPAND GALLERY

Alex Ferguson's book: 10 things not to miss 11 photos

Alex Ferguson's book: 10 things not to miss 11 photos

Alex Ferguson's book: 10 things not to miss – Just what did former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson think about Wayne Rooney, Roy Keane, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo? Read on......

Hide Caption

1 of 11

Alex Ferguson's book: 10 things not to miss 11 photos

Alex Ferguson's book: 10 things not to miss – England striker Wayne Rooney joined Manchester United from Everton in 2004. "Wayne Rooney is a slow learner and he struggles to stay fit," says Ferguson of the England international in his autobiography.

Hide Caption

2 of 11

Alex Ferguson's book: 10 things not to miss 11 photos

Alex Ferguson's book: 10 things not to miss – Roy Keane played for Manchester United between 1993 and 2005, but the Republic of Ireland midfielder fell out spectacularly with the Old Trafford manager after he criticized his teammates on the club's television channel. "What I noticed about him that day as I was arguing with him was that his eyes started to narrow, almost to wee black beads. It was frightening to watch. And I'm from Glasgow," writes Ferguson.

Hide Caption

3 of 11

Alex Ferguson's book: 10 things not to miss 11 photos

Alex Ferguson's book: 10 things not to miss – There is no mention of David Beckham's wife Victoria -- Posh Spice -- in the chapter of the book that Ferguson devotes to the player. "The big problem for me ... he fell in love with Victoria and that changed everything," said Ferguson in his press conference to promote the book.

Hide Caption

4 of 11

Alex Ferguson's book: 10 things not to miss 11 photos

Alex Ferguson's book: 10 things not to miss – In 2011 Manchester United defender Patrice Evra complained he had been racially abused by Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, who was subsequently handed an eight-match ban by the English Football Association. "Liverpool wore those T-shirts supporting Suarez, which I thought was the most ridiculous thing for a club of Liverpool's stature," writes Ferguson.

Hide Caption

5 of 11

Alex Ferguson's book: 10 things not to miss 11 photos

Alex Ferguson's book: 10 things not to miss – "In all the times I'm asked I find it impossible to definitely say which is the better player -- Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi -- because to relegate either to second place would feel wrong," writes Ferguson.

Hide Caption

6 of 11

Alex Ferguson's book: 10 things not to miss 11 photos

Alex Ferguson's book: 10 things not to miss – "Messi has something magical about him when the ball touches his feet," writes Ferguson. "It's as if it's landed on a bed of feathers. His low sense of gravity is devastating."

Hide Caption

7 of 11

Alex Ferguson's book: 10 things not to miss 11 photos

Alex Ferguson's book: 10 things not to miss – Ferguson says he was twice asked to manage England. "It wasn't a bed of nails I was ever tempted to lie on," writes the former Manchester United manager.

Hide Caption

8 of 11

Alex Ferguson's book: 10 things not to miss 11 photos

Alex Ferguson's book: 10 things not to miss – Sven-Goran Eriksson took charge of the England team between 2001 and 2006. "I remember asking Paul Scholes one day: 'Scholesy, what's Eriksson got?' but Scholesy could shed no light."

Hide Caption

9 of 11

Alex Ferguson's book: 10 things not to miss 11 photos

Alex Ferguson's book: 10 things not to miss – Ferguson is full of praise for Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who is now in his second spell at Stamford Bridge. "Jose was one of those guys on a surfboard who can stay longer on the wave than anyone else," says the Scot.

Hide Caption

10 of 11

Alex Ferguson's book: 10 things not to miss 11 photos

Alex Ferguson's book: 10 things not to miss – Sergio Aguero's stoppage-time goal in a 3-2 win against Queens Park Rangers ensured Manchester City won the 2011-2012 English Premier League title. "We were champions for 30 seconds," writes Ferguson. "When our whistle blew -- against Sunderland -- we were champions. In fairness to our players, they knew they had ballsed it up. There were no excuses."

Hide Caption

11 of 11

EXPAND GALLERY

JUST WATCHED

The business behind the World Cup

MUST WATCH

The business behind the World Cup02:30

PLAY VIDEO

According to the new regulations, the first sanction for a club whose fans are found guilty of racist abuse will be a partial stadium closure. If the abuse persists, then there will be a full stadium closure and a $65,000 fine handed out.

"An association should adopt the same or similar measures," Infantino said in May.

"UEFA has always acted in a way to try to convince people rather than impose. I don't think you measure the way of fighting against racism in one simple measure and sanction."

In August, Polish club Legia Warsaw was fined $41,000 and ordered to close the north stand of its stadium following racist behavior by supporters during a Champions League second qualifying round tie.

UEFA has been heavily criticized in the past for the way it has punished those found guilty of racial abuse compared with other offenses.

During Euro 2012, Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner was handed a $125,800 fine for revealing a betting company's logo on his underwear after lifting his shirt while celebrating a goal.

UEFA also handed out a larger fine to Chelsea following its semifinal defeat by Barcelona in 2009 after Didier Drogba confronted referee Tom Ovrebo after his failure to award the London club several penalties.

JUST WATCHED

From civil war to the football pitch

MUST WATCH

JUST WATCHED

Ginola answers questions on Qatar 2022

MUST WATCH

Ginola answers questions on Qatar 2022 07:50

PLAY VIDEO

Libya's footballers in the firing line 7 photos

Libya's footballers in the firing line7 photos

In the firing line – Al-Ahly of Tripoli, the country's biggest club, threatened to leave the Libyan football league after its coach and a player were both shot by snipers. The team is expected to return to action on October 26 according to the club's owner.

Hide Caption

1 of 7

Libya's footballers in the firing line7 photos

Coach shot at – Coach Hossam al-Badri was shot at after his team Al-Ahly Tripoli had drawn a league match. The 53-year-old Al-Badri steered Cairo's Al -Ahly to the African Champions League title last November before joining the Libyan club in May.

Hide Caption

2 of 7

Libya's footballers in the firing line7 photos

Clemente calling – Former Spain coach Javier Clemente has been given the task of steering Libya to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The 63-year-old, who enjoyed six years in charge of the Spanish national team between 1992-98, replaced Abdelhafidh al-Rabich.

Hide Caption

3 of 7

Libya's footballers in the firing line7 photos

Building for the future – Libya hopes to host the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations and is already in the process of constructing a number of new venues. This stadium, which is in the southern suburbs of Tripoli, is expected to be finished in time for the tournament.

Hide Caption

4 of 7

Libya's footballers in the firing line7 photos

Prime Minister kidnapped – Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan was kidnapped and held for several hours by militia gunmen before being released. The incident, which highlights threats posed by militias, is just one of several which have occurred since the revolution two years ago.

Hide Caption

5 of 7

Libya's footballers in the firing line7 photos

Hopes of a nation – The Libyan national team is currently ranked 61st in the world and is hoping to make it through to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

Hide Caption

6 of 7

Libya's footballers in the firing line7 photos

Fans made to wait – Football in Libya only resumed last month after being brought to a halt in February 2011 by the civil conflict which ousted the dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Fans are now hoping the latest violence won't prevent the national league from continuing.

Hide Caption

7 of 7

EXPAND GALLERY

When it comes to punishment for racism, UEFA has imposed relatively small fines, which has left the governing body open to extreme criticism.

Back in 2002, the Slovakian Football Association was hit with a $29,000 fine after fans abused England duo Ashley Cole and Emile Heskey.

A year later, Cole, Heskey and Sol Campbell were abused while on England duty in Macedonia with the host FA being forced to pay a fine of $27,000.

In June 2007, the Football Association of Serbia was punished with a $27,000 fine after its fans racially abused England players during the Under-21 Championship Finals in Holland.

The Croatian FA was made to pay just $16,000 after its fans were found guilty of "displaying a racist banner and showing racist conduct" during the Euro 2008 quarterfinal tie with Turkey.

In 2011, Bulgaria's FA was hit with a $54,000 fine after England's Ashley Young, Ashley Cole and Theo Walcott were racially abused during a Euro 2012 qualifier in Sofia.

That decision came a full six weeks after the incident and was then frowned upon further, after UEFA fined City $40,000 for coming out late ahead of the second-half of their last-16 Europa League game at Sporting Lisbon.

Both Russia ($39,000) and Spain ($26,000) were fined at Euro 2012 following problems of racism, but neither country was hit as hard in the pocket as Denmark striker Bendtner.